Grants in Support of Interdisciplinary Research Projects

October 26th, 2011

We are pleased to announce a new internal grant program, developed in collaboration by the Office of the Provost and the College Deans, designed to stimulate and support interdisciplinary research at Northeastern and to increase the competitiveness of external proposals.

TIER 1: Seed Grant/Proof of Concept Program
Competitive program provides funds to support and encourage individual faculty members to form multidisciplinary teams to secure proof of concept, with a goal of successfully competing for sponsored research opportunities. Funds are also available as seed grants for faculty teams to develop new and innovative research directions. An explicit strategy for securing external funding must be outlined. Total support of up to $50,000 for one year, provided by College(s), Department(s) and Senior Vice Provost for Research & Graduate Education is available, with the possibility of a second year renewal. Proposals will be peer reviewed internally and award decisions will be made by the Senior Vice Provost for Research & Graduate Education and relevant Dean(s). Proposals are due to the Office of the SVPR by April 1 for support beginning July 1. Funding cannot be requested for faculty salary support.

TIER 2: Federally Designated Centers; Major Programs Initiative
The Senior Vice Provost for Research and the Dean(s) will provide incentive support to faculty groups pursuing large, multi-disciplinary Federal funding opportunities. Funding consists of support to facilitate the preparation of highly competitive proposals, up to $75,000; and/or post-award annual operating support up to 10% of the IDC, or post-award cost sharing support.

TIER 3: Campus-wide Research Initiatives Program (CRIP)
This competitive program provides support for development of broad, multidisciplinary research initiatives and centers that will position the university to become a national leader in an emerging or sustained area of research that responds to a national or societal need. Successful applicants will receive planning grants of up to $150,000 and post-CRIP designation support of up to $150,000 from the Senior Vice Provost for Research and Dean(s) for a designated time period.

Procedures:
Those interested in applying for any of the above programs should request a form from the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Research & Graduate Education to describe research plans and strategies for pursuing external funding. Endorsements are required from relevant chair(s) and Dean(s) prior to forwarding proposals to the Senior Vice Provost for Research & Graduate Education .